Crackdown on Video Poker Coming in Maryland

On June 17 Comptroller Franchot made an announcement concerning video poker machines at Maryland bars, commenting that a broad crackdown was about to begin. While these machines are supposedly for amusement only, the Tax Collector's offices of the opinion that they are used as illegal slot machines, and will use their authority to enforce alcohol laws in order to pressure bars to get rid of them. A letter was sent out to the 7200 liquor license holders in the state of Maryland letting them know that the "Taxman cometh." Some of those licensees are of the opinion that the comptroller is overstepping his bounds.